contributor: Richard LaBrosse

 
1938 

William A. Smith, 63, prominent in civic affairs and a life-long resident of Oconto, died at the Oconto hospital about 11 o’clock Tuesday morning, following a three year illness. His condition had been serious since he was taken to the hospital several weeks ago. Death was attributed to a complication of diseases.

The deceased was born in October on June 7, 1875, the son of Mr. And Mrs. William Kingman Smith. He attended the public school here and also Beloit college.

Survivors are his wife, Lillian; two sons, William Jr., and Charles; a daughter, Nancy; his mother and two sisters; Mrs. William Francis Drea, Colorado Springs, Colo; Mrs. Earl B. Williams, Long View, Texas; and a brother, Philip of Detroit, Mich. Another brother, Charles, preceded him in death last August in Los Angeles.

For sometime Mr. Smith was associated with his father in the Oconto National Bank. He also worked for a number of years in the wholesale lumbering business for himself. For the past 10 years he has operated an insurance agency in the city.

Active in community affairs, he was for several years a member of the school board, and was serving as the president of the board. He was re-elected to the board in the spring election last week to fill the vacancy of Atty. V. J. O’Kelliher, whose term expired. He was a former member of the Oconto Kiwanis club, the Elks Lodge, Veterans of Foreign Wars, United Spanish American Wars. He was at one time a member of the city police and fire commission.

Funeral services for the deceased will be held at two o’clock Friday afternoon from the Presbyterian church with burial in the Evergreen cemetery. In the absence of Rev. Thomas Smart, Dr. C. S. Pier, Marinette will officiate at the service. The MacQueen funeral home is in charge of arraignments. Pallbearers will be Sup’t. L. W. Fulton, Chris Hernsen, L. E. Brazeau, Henry Krueger, Julius Riewe and Alfred Merline.